Free MCboot using an official PS2 memory card (make sure it has Magicgate on it) and use either AR max or a compatible exploitable game. There is a bit fiddling around, you need the files on a usb drive, you need to edit and burn an iso of that exploitable game to a disk and do a disk swap trick to make the uloader work. After that it's pretty easy.Looking for a good tutorial on Youtube is a good start.Words of advice though before you start, all fats and some slims (lower than 9xxxxx) models of slims will be compatible. USe high quality media for backup disks (I use sony media, almost 100% compatibility, if something goes wrong it's my fault not the media) and use an official memory card. Some people have had very bad experiences using third party cards, nowhere close to bricking the console, but corruption and things like that.
A good rule of thumb is to install FMCB on an official card and use a large capacity card for saves.After you're done, you can use ESR to make backup (obviously not pirated ) disks and OpenPS2loader to load games using internal HDD for a fat console and over network or external hard drives. There are a few emulators, but they're not really worth it. I used Agent under fire (any version will work, don't accept people who say platinum versions don't count, mine is platinum) with a modded agent under fire iso on a separate disk and used a disk swap. There's lots of tutorials on youtube. It's very easy, but if you have a Hard drive for your PS2, the HDboot way is apparently better, since you free up memory card space.Use the noobie package, then get OPL (the most recent release on PSXscene) and you're set. Learn how to install menu shortcuts and such, it'll save you time.
You can remove the hard drive, put it in your pc, then copy your games to it (it will need to be formatted by HD Advance / Loader first). Use FreeMCboot with HD Advance on it and you won't need to use your failed disc drive at all. It'll boot from your mem card on startup.I don't know the details on what programs to use for the copying to the hard drive from your PC, since I've not done it and it was years ago when I read about it.The GH and RB games all work from the HD just fine, btw.That bundle is a good deal. If it is loaded with games, it definitely includes one (or both) of the HD loading programs.
Thanks for the info.The internet has such a wealth of info and as a NOOB reading it, it gets a little daunting.It was my nephews that pointed out my PS2 wasn't reading Guitar Hero Aerosmith. I kept trying to get it working but later figured out the laser was on it's last legs. Looking around locally I found several people who could do the repair, but they wanted about $100. None the less I passed.But my daily visit to Kijiji came in handy as I located the above mentioned bundle.Prior I have created images of my games using NERO.
I have obtained (or will be getting) the entire GUITAR HERO & ROCK BAND series in DVD5 form. To move the games over I'm thinking about WinHIIP. However if possible I would like to keep the hard drive connected to the PS2 and move the games over via my network.It would save me $30 or so on an external hard drive case.If anyone knows if it's possible to move the games over via a network that would be great info.The ideal behind the 2nd PS2 is to make use of the 70+ PS2 games I currently own and are of no use to me.I can use the working PS2 to add images to the hard drive then move the hard drive into my broken PS2.In essence salvaging the PS2. If I can purchase another hard drive for a good price I would also do so.
I would index the hard drives contents on my blog and swap them out as needed. Silent hunter commander's edition windows 8. For example one hard drive feature sports, one fighting games for example.
Having this new PS2 will bring my dead PS2 back to life which is great. I may even look for a 2nd network adapter to have two working PS2's in my collection. Thanks guys, appreciate the info.I should be getting this new (to me) but USED PS2 on Saturday.I'd like to have some idea of how to use it as the seller is meeting me at an auction and I will be unable to test it.I read about winHIIP, sounds like a cool program. But I didn't notice where/how/if it could move the games over.I had seen online the DUMP program, but am yet to look into it.I'll look now, thanks again. I'm looking locally for an External Hard Drive Case, seems to be about $30. Worst case I'm going to just move the HD to and from the EXT CASE and transfer the games. Though if you were dumping an ISO over USB directly onto the drive, it'd be a lot faster.
I find that launching HDL Server from the FreeMCBoot menu and just letting the transfer program in in the background for a while works a lot easier. Once the stuff is on the HDD, it appears to work fine with HDDLoader anyway. And now you don't have to go through that hastle of unplugging the PS2, removing the HDD, putting it in an enclosure or a PC, and doing that all agian in reverse once the game is on it. And I can simply create then move an ISO? Nothing more is required?Reason I ask is ISO's are readily available online and would simplify things greatly for me.As I mentioned prior I have the ISO's for the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises. (That's really what I want)So far I like what I read about winHIIP. I'm leaning toward just getting a case for $30 and going through the unhook/hook up method to move ISO's (again if a possibility) to the HDD.
I'm waiting on a response from the seller to see what he does. I don't know what he is using to rip the games onto the HDD. I know some older software versions have dual layer DVD issues, however most of the ISO's I have are single layer (DVD5). Guys thank you, I appreciate all the info.If all goes to plan I should be picking up the PS2 on Sat.However where I will be meeting the seller I will be unable to test the goods.I hope he can explain (and I retain) what I'm told.if not look for more posts.I think I am going to dry the DUMP programs 1st, prior to trying winHIIP.I like the idea that I will save me a few dollars by me not buying an external HDD case.If I have trouble I will buy a case and use winHIIP. The ideal situation would me having the abilityto keep the hard drive in the PS2 at all times and do everything over a LAN.As I mentioned prior I really want this for the sole purpose of ROCK BAND and the GUITAR HERO franchise, some wrestling games, and some fighters.that's it.
Softmod Ps2 Slim
Once full, I'm done with it.I have some of the ISO's as is stored on my PC and EXT HDD. I just want the easiest way to move them over. I also checked and all ISO's are DVD5 - I believe that would/will eliminate some possible problems.I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this PS2.
Unsure if anyone went over to my blog site, but I have about 70/80 PS2 games. Not the biggest collection, but decent none the less. Sadly unusable due to my laser failure.One thing I can say for sure is I will make a copy of the PS2 HDD and store in the event of HDD failure. I got into this a few years ago, basically the two ways you can go about it is either; removing the hard drive from your ps2, and hooking it up via IDE to your PC. Then you can use winhiip to install an ISO or a DVD (put it in your pc) to the hard drive. The other option is to run hdlserver on your ps2, and hdldump/hdldumb on your pc and you can install ISO's over a network.The network option is fine and it's mostly what I always used, however it can be somewhat difficult to get it set up if you're new to it.
To be able to run any programs on your ps2 you need to exploit it, what is commonly used is a memory card exploit, where you boot up the ps2 with an original ps1 disc tied to a hacked memory card. Then it will boot up from the memory card and you can run whichever programs you need to. There's also ways around it using a modchip instead but I never bothered with that.If your PS2 doesn't come already with the memory card exploit, you can usually buy them from ebay which is how I got around it (you need a modified PS2 to create a memory card with the exploit). If yours doesnt have this then it may just be easier for you to use Winhiip and remove the drive to install your games. Of course you can also install games directly in HDLoader by putting the discs into your PS2 as well if you have them around.There's a lot there but I hope you find some of it useful.
So I got the PS2 last night. It's in great shape and game loaded with games.however the majority of which I will delete. The bundle also included HD Advance. I had a killer headache and didn't really mess around much.What I do know is I am to put the HD Advance into the PS2 upon boot up to access the HDD.
Looking at the text on screen I assume I can then swap in an original PS2 game to copy to the HDD.The seller told me that he uses a program called something DUMB. But it is on the memory card. I'm still waiting on a response from the seller as to what memory card its on (he included two). I'm also waiting on his direction on how to use the program.
Freemcboot Ps2
From what I had read myself I think I am going to go with the HDL program. Today I'm going to look more into it and try to figure out how to install it/use it.I have on my PC now the majority of the images I plan on using. So I want to find the most simple way to transfer them onto the PS2. Not having an external hard drive case the HDL program seems to be the solution. I got into this a few years ago, basically the two ways you can go about it is either; removing the hard drive from your ps2, and hooking it up via IDE to your PC.
Then you can use winhiip to install an ISO or a DVD (put it in your pc) to the hard drive. The other option is to run hdlserver on your ps2, and hdldump/hdldumb on your pc and you can install ISO's over a network.The network option is fine and it's mostly what I always used, however it can be somewhat difficult to get it set up if you're new to it. To be able to run any programs on your ps2 you need to exploit it, what is commonly used is a memory card exploit, where you boot up the ps2 with an original ps1 disc tied to a hacked memory card. Then it will boot up from the memory card and you can run whichever programs you need to. There's also ways around it using a modchip instead but I never bothered with that.If your PS2 doesn't come already with the memory card exploit, you can usually buy them from ebay which is how I got around it (you need a modified PS2 to create a memory card with the exploit). If yours doesnt have this then it may just be easier for you to use Winhiip and remove the drive to install your games.
Of course you can also install games directly in HDLoader by putting the discs into your PS2 as well if you have them around.There's a lot there but I hope you find some of it useful. The seller of the PS2 did include and original PS1 game and two memory cards.He was a really nice guy and delivered the PS2 to my workplace. However only draw back was I was unable to test the equipment. However I did believe it worked (and it does) however I got no tutorial.I'm assuming based on the above that he has the exploit. However reading what you guys say about FREE MCBOOT that could be cool also.
I had a third memory card for my original PS2 as well as some memory expander.I think I will wipe out my card at home and try to get this FREE MCBOOT. Seems I have tons of reading to do today.
I don't know much/anything about free mcboot but the old independence exploit (using a ps1 disc) is very handy, since it only boots up from the memory card when you use it with that specific ps1 disc. Before you wipe anything I'd check whats on the memory card once you get it to boot.The important thing to remember is that provided the ps2 you got is unmodded (cant run dvd backups) you have a chicken and the egg scenario, you need a modified ps2 to exploit the memory card in order to run anything. If that is the case and you wiped it then you wouldn't be able to put any programs on to your MC to setup free mcboot or anything.The best case scenario is your ps2 is either modified, or has a ftp server on the memory card.
If it has ftp, then you can go in over the network and upload any programs you want to the memory card and also modify other memory cards too. That should work fine, the only thing to bear in mind is that the PS2 uses IDE hard drives, newer (PC) drives will be SATA.
The difference is the connectors, IDE is very wide and 2 pins high, sata is very small in comparison. As long as your external drive enclosure is IDE then that should be fine!All you really need to do for the FTP is connect your PS2 to your network. It will already have a config file on the memorycard with IP details. I had this problem when I came to use my PS2 on my new network, the ps2 was setup for a gateway of 192.168.0.1 and my router gateway was 192.168.1.1. What you can do in this case is connect your ps2 directly to your pc, and set your pc network adapter to use the gateway ip the ps2 wants (it will tell you when you load the ftp program). Then you can login via ftp/hdldumb and do what you need to.
As above, if the disc is just scratched even if heavily so, there's a good chance it will still work. As long as the PS2 can recognise it then it will boot up the memory card, doesn't matter if the game works 100% or not Obviously if it's cracked or something then maybe you should get another copy o.OP.S.
I only just realised that your version of HDLoader is on cd/dvd, I've only ever worked with it in the memory card format before. It is true that removing the hard drive from the ps2 takes seconds and so if you have an easy way to connect it to your pc it's probably the best option for you unless you're really patient. So I got the PS2 as mentioned with network adapter. It came with the memory card exploit and HD LOADER on CD/DVD (whatever it is)Thanks to all you guys who provide input and advice I decided as a NOOB to go with winHIIP.I snagged the case for $20 from a local CPU outlet store, simple easy. Takes less then 10 minutes to pop out the hard drive and insert it.Here is the PS2 and HDD, good looking couple!winHIIP was awesome! I got it working and moved over 2 rockband games with ease.I didnt mess with any options, modes or whatever? Im hoping with all the games as DVD-5 they should work flawlessly.Right now im moving all my existing images onto my 500gig ext to make space on the PC.Im then going to move over 3 guitar hero games.Once ive made space ill do the rest of the fanchise.Thanks.
Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone for the info.As I mentioned (and included pictures) I picked up a cheap IDE case.in fact so cheap a lil part of it broke.No biggie, It had an LED that would light up to show how much of the hard drive you have used.The wires broke, as I guess they are not meant to be opened and closed as often as I did. (AH WELL!)I've got most of my images except for three ROCK BAND titles moved.The 80 gig hard drive is full.Im trying now to get old hard drives off friends from old PC's etc.So perhaps in the future I can have a hard drive of sports games, fighters, etc. Simply put the hard drive would be a multi-cart of sorts.Its not like its much work to move em in and out.And once full I'm done with them.
Didn't want to start another post, and this is 'sorta' inline with my previous posts.I've obtained a few more PS2 games, most of them consist of two files, one including a BIN file.I think I can burn them with 'BOOT DREAMS' if I recall, but my desire is the move the files onto my PS2 hard drive.Looking @ the folder now, some files are simply the IMAGE file, but again other games are BIN + IMAGE file.Long and short of it I'd like to be able to load these games onto my hard drive. What would I need to do? How would I do it?Thanks for the help.